As the nation celebrates Earth Day, the City of Jacksonville is also celebrating 20 years as a Tree City USA, a designation recognized by the Arbor Day Foundation awarded to cities with a demonstrated commitment to effective urban forest management.
 
“Jacksonville has many natural resources that bring great beauty and value to our city,” said Mayor Lenny Curry. “As a city that is home to the largest park system in the nation, we are committed to these diverse resources. It feels great to earn recognition by the Arbor Day Foundation for our efforts.”

The Jacksonville Children's Commission (JCC) celebrated 21 years of providing child and family services during a celebration at City Hall on April 21. 

Jacksonville citizens with valid ID can earn a reward for helping keep Jacksonville clean. Duval County residents can earn 50 cents per sign for up to 40 illegal snipe signs, and $2 per tire for up to 10 tires at the Tire & Sign Buyback at EverBank Field's Lot Z on Saturday, May 7 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Legislation filed today is the next step in Mayor Lenny Curry and his administration’s efforts to address the challenges and limitations the City’s crippling pension debt is creating for citizens and communities throughout Jacksonville. Today’s action requests City Council’s approval of a referendum to be presented to Jacksonville voters in the Aug. 30 primary election that extends a half-cent sales tax to pay down the City’s unfunded pension liabilities.

Today, Governor Rick Scott announced Jacksonville added 21,300 new private-sector jobs over the year in March. The area’s unemployment rate declined by 0.9 percentage point over the year to 4.4 percent in March. 

Mayor Lenny Curry has appointed Dawn Lockhart to serve as Director of Strategic Partnerships for the City of Jacksonville. In this newly created position, Lockhart will work collaboratively with the nonprofit and philanthropic communities in an effort to better serve Jacksonville citizens.

Ceremonially Signs Tax Cut Package for Florida Families and Job Creators
 
Today, Mayor Lenny Curry joined Governor Rick Scott to announce that Novolex will be expanding their Hilex Poly brand manufacturing facility in Jacksonville, which will create 25 new jobs and invest $6 million in the local community. Novolex, a manufacturer of plastic bags for retailers, has 37 plants across the country and employs more than 100 Floridians. During the announcement, Governor Scott also ceremonially signed HB 7099, which includes the permanent elimination the sales tax manufacturing machinery and equipment and a three-day back-to-school sales tax holiday. Over the past two years, Florida has cut more than $1 billion in taxes. 

Thousands turned out along Laura Street in downtown Jacksonville sporting their blue and white to support Jacksonville's Ribault Lady Trojans basketball team. A parade and celebration were held on April 12 to honor the team's big win at the Dick's Sporting Goods High School National Tournament in New York City's Madison Square Gardens. 

The Jacksonville City Council is seeking nominations for the 2016 “Robert O. Johnson Good Government Award”.  The award was established by the Jacksonville City Council in 2003 in honor of former City Council Auditor Robert O. Johnson.  Each year, the award is bestowed upon an employee, of the City, its Independent Agencies, commissions or Constitutional Officers, who has demonstrated a sustained and significant contribution to the increased efficiency and effectiveness of the City of Jacksonville or its Independent Agencies and offices and who exemplifies Bob Johnson’s exemplary reputation for integrity and honest.

Standard & Poor's Ratings Services raised its credit rating two notches to 'AAA' on JEA's water and sewer system senior-lien debt. Standard & Poor’s also raised its rating on JEA’s subordinate-lien debt to ‘AA+’ from ‘AA’. “Triple A” is the highest rating than any agency can get, and it is the first time that JEA has received that rating.